zoom_in Click to enlarge

Sweep

▲ ▼

language

description Sweep Overview

Sweep is a grey dog glove puppet who serves as the loyal companion to Sooty in the British children's television franchise created by Harry Corbett. Introduced in 1957, the character communicates primarily through high-pitched squeaking sounds, which were originally produced using a saxophone reed. Sweep is characterized by his mischievous nature and distinctively long ears. He remains a central figure in family-oriented puppet entertainment across several decades of UK television programming.

help Sweep FAQ

How does Sweep communicate in The Sooty Show?

Sweep is a grey dog glove puppet who communicates exclusively through high-pitched squeaking sounds. His squeaks are interpreted by the show's human presenter, such as Matthew Corbett.

What instrument is Sweep famous for playing?

Due to his dog-like vocalizations, Sweep is often shown playing the saxophone. The gag involves the puppet making incredibly loud, off-key honking noises through the instrument.

Who originally created and performed the Sweep puppet?

Sweep was created by Harry Corbett, who also created Sooty in 1948. The character was famously performed by Corbett's son, Matthew Corbett, who took over the franchise in 1976.

What kind of dog breed is Sweep supposed to be?

Visually, Sweep is represented as a grey dog with long floppy ears. Though his exact breed is never specified in the show, he most closely resembles a grey Irish Wolfhound or a long-haired spaniel.

swap_horiz

Looking for Sweep alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward